Lubricating system



Sept. 16, 1941. F. s. BELL 2,256,041

I LUBRICATING SYSTEM Filed July 20, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet l Frou/dr; Y ,F7/c5514. f

F. s. LUBRIGATING SYSTEM Filed July 20, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 www, /1/ w n m F l l l `1 Sept. 16, 1941. F. s. BELL 2,256,041

LUBRIGATING SYSTEM Filed July 2o, 1939 5 sheets-sheet s Sept. 16, 1941. s BELL 2,256,041

LUBRICATING SYSTEM Filed July 20, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Spt, 16, 1941. F. s. BELL LUBRICATI'NG SYSTEM Filed July 20, 1959 5 SheetS--Sheerl 5 Patented Sept. 16, 1941 aan LUBRICATIN G SYSTEM Frank S. Bell, Baltimore, Md., assignor to Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., Baltimore, Md., a

corporation of New York Application July 20, 1939, Serial No. 285,607

17 Claims.

The present invention relates to means for supplying lubricant to a plurality of relatively movable instrumentalities mounted for movement along an orbital path. More particularly, the invention relates to means for supplying lubricant to various elements requiring lubrication, which are mounted on a rotatable table, in a machine such as a bottle filling or closing machine. It must be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to filling or closing machines, but Will be found useful wherever it is desired to supply lubricant to machine elements travelling along a predetermined definite path.

It is a primary object of the invention to supply lubricant to such instrumentalities, Without using flexible conduits, stuing boxes, packing glands, or other relatively movable, liquidtight connections between oil conduits mounted, respectively, on a rotary table or the like, and on a stationary base or the like.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a continuous supply of oil for instrumentalities carried by a rotatable table, in accurately controlled amounts, and to prevent leakage, splashing or other waste of oil.

In the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below, the lubricating system is shown in connection with a bottle lling machine, of the type wherein a plurality of vertically movable bottle supporting platforms carried by elongated rcylindrical sleeves are mounted in vertical bearings in a rotatable table. The reciprocating movements of the supporting sleeves and platforms are controlled, at least in one direction, by cam following rollers carried by the sleeves. The sleeves also carry guide rollers cooperating with vertical guide tracks to maintain the sleeves upright.

The invention provides means for supplying oil to the bearings in which the sleeves are slidably mounted andl for the journals for the cam following and guide rollers. In accordance with the prior art, these parts have ybeen lubricated either by hand from time to time, er by lubricant conduits associated with the table and the base, respectively, and connected through relatively movable packing glands or the like. The present invention entirely eliminates such connections and provides an automatic constant supply of oil.

It is an object of the invention to provide, in a machine of this class, a novel oil transfer element supported upon the base, adapted to receive a continuous, thin, thread-like stream of oil from a source of supply, and to provide novel oil collecting devices supported for movement with the table and adapted to take oil from the transfer device in definite, controlled, predetermined amounts during the rotation of the table, to supply the moving parts on the table With lubricant.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from a consideration of the following description of the illustrative embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical radial section through a portion of a filling machine, with certain parts broken away.

Figure 2 is a View taken on line 2 2 of Figure l, in part a section and in part a plan.

Figure 3 is a view taken on line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a View taken on line 4 4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view on line 5 5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section on line 6 6 of Figure 4.

Figure '7 is a similar view on line 1 1 cf Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a transverse section on line 8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9v is a vertical section on line 9 9 of Figure 6.

Figure 10 is a section on line M Ii) of Figure 6.

Figure 11 is an enlarged vertical section of a detail.

Figure 12 is an end View of the part shown in Figure 11, and

Figure 13 is a perspective View of the lubricant transfer arm shown in Figures 1 and 3, and

Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectional View through the bearing sleeve shown in Figure 1, but taken on a vertical plane at right angles to the plane of Figure 1.

The invention of the present application is shown in association with a bottle filling machine, generally similar to that described and illustrated in detail in the patent to Huntley and Stewart 2,145,765, patented January 3l, 1939. Of course, the invention can be used with other machines, and the reference to the foregoing patent is simply for purposes of illustration. Such a machine comprises a stationary base l5 upon which a rotatable filling table l5 is journalled. A raised portion Il of the base supports a bracket I3 carrying a cam track I9, adapted to be engaged by a roller 20 mounted on a collar 2l, secured to a sleeve 22 carrying, at its upper end, a bottle supporting platform 23. An annipple 55.

nular platform 24 is suspended below the table I6 by depending guide brackets, not shown, and a sheet metal Icasing 25 encloses the bottle supporting sleeves 22 and the like. A coil spring 26, interposed between the platform 2-3 and the lupper end of 'a fixed, lower, hollow, cylindrical invention, they will not be described further,

reference being had to the aforementioned patent for a more complete description.V

The cam track supporting bracket I8 is provided with a substantially horizontal platform 30, upon which a pair of upwardly projecting brackets 3l, 32 are bolted (Figs. l and 3). The bracket 3l, at its upper end, is provided with upwardly projecting apertured ears 33, 34 and with laterally projecting flanges 35, 36, one having a seat 31 for a spring 38, and the other having a bore in which a stop bolt 39 is threaded. Upon a transverse pin 46, disposed in the apertures in the ears 33, 34, there is fulcrumed a lubricant transfer device 4I, comprising a reawardly ex-Y tending, short arm 42, having a seat 43 for the spring 38, and a forwardly projecting arm 44. This arm is bent upwardly and laterally at 45, and then forwardly at 46. The undersurface 41 of the elongated portion 46 of the arm is straight transversely, but is convex longitudinally, as shown in Figures 3 and 13. Also, the elongated arm is preferably curved longitudinally in plan, to correspond with the curvature of the path of movement of the instrumentalities on the table, as indicated in Figure 2. As indicated in Figure 7, the cross-sectional shape of the arm 46 is such that the side faces taper upwardly and merge in l nipple 55, which has a downwardly opening socket 56 in its outer end, in which is disposed a ball a ring seat 59 provided with a plurality of slots or kerfs 60 (Fig. l2) and held in position by the liiang'ed-over rib 6l, integral with the end of the The ball 51 assumes the lowermost position, as shown in Figure 1l and oil is supplied thereto through the passages in the fittings 52, 55, and through the slots 68, with the result that a film of oil flows downwardly over the surface of the ball to the lowermost vpoint n vthe surface the ow will be continuous and of constant voltially constant.

Vmeans for changing the pressure, at the source of oil, to compensate for changes in viscosity, thereby maintaining the volume of flow. substan- In some cases, when the supply of oil is associated with the complete lubrication system for the other parts of the machine, such as a high pressure intermittent lubrication system, the intermittent high pressure intervals of that system are reilected in the present continually fiowing low pressure part of the system, causing a momentary high pressure therein. Thus, minor variations in the pressure, viscosity and volume of flow are permitted, within the scope of the present invention. The thread of oil between the ball 51 and the upper end 48 of the arm 41 is preferably maintained unbroken during the operation of the machine, but if the parts are improperly adjusted or if other changes occur, the oil may be delivered from the ball 51 to the arm 41 in the form of drops. The oil is removed from the transfer device by means associated with the bearings to be lubricated.

An oil receiving cup 65 is disposed 'in a bore 66 in the socket 61 carrying the bearing 29 for the bottle supporting sleeve 22. The cup 65 may be held in place by a set screw 61 with the horizontal bore 68 of the cup aligned Withran inclined groove 63 formed in the inner face of the bearing 29. At its outer end, the cup member is recessed as at 18 to provide an upwardly opening Y 51 pressed downwardly by a spring 58, against thereof, where the oil preferably forms into a thin, thread-like stream, as at 62 (Fig. 11) The oil is received by the upper pointed end 48 of the arm 46, where it spreads out and flows downwardlyover the side faces thereof, and over the highlyA polished bottom face of the arm in the form of aV thin film.'

As stated above, the oil ows continuously to the ball 51 from an accurately controlled source of oil under relatively low pressure, such as a pump and pressure relief valve, the details of construction of which are not a part of the inventhe rollers 28 and 66.

receptacle, in which there is disposed an upstanding, hardened wiper pin 1|, having an upper end face 12 positioned to engage the lower face 41 of the lubricant transfer arm 46.

Each bottle supporting assembly carries one of these oil wiping and collecting assemblies. As a result, during each rotation of the table, each pin 1I wipes an appropriate amount of oil from the oil transfer device, the oil being collected in the receptacle 18 and delivered to the groove 69, to lubricate the sleeve.

The cam following rollers 26 are supplied with oil by similar means. Each roller has a'bearing sleeve 15 secured in its central bore and mounted for rotation on the periphery of a trunnion 16 projecting laterally from the sleeve 2l. An axial bore at 11 in each trunnion 16 receives a plug 18 having a central bore 19 communicating with an oil `collector cup 19 through a horizontal bore 85. The cup, secured in the plug 18 by a set screw 8l or the like, has an upwardly facing receptacle 82 and a hardened, wiper pin 83, similar to the corresponding parts 10, 1|, described above.

On an enlarged portion 85 of the trunnion 16, a guide roller 86 having a central bearing sleeve 96 is journalled. The roller is disposed between vertical guides, not shown, to maintain the sleeves 22, 21, etc., in vertical alignment. The trunnion 16 and the plug 18 Vare provided with additional passages 81, 88, 89, so that there is a conduit fromthe receptacle 82 to the innerV f ace of the bearing sleeves 15, 99, associated with Oil is supplied to the receptacle 82 and thence to the rollers by means similar to that heretof fore described. The horizontal platform 30 of the cam track bracket, at a point disposed immediately forwardly of the position of the bracket 32 carries an inwardly projecting bracket 9| (Figs. 2, 4 and 5) having an inwardly projecting, overhanging portion provided with downwardly projecting apertured ears 92, 93 and with forwardly and rearwardly projecting flanges 94, 95, the former having a seat 96 for a spring 91 and the latter having a threaded bore for the reception of a stop bolt 98. A fulcrum pin 99, disposed in the ears 92, 93, carries a lubricant transfer device |00, generally similar, but specifically different from the device 4|, heretofore described. The device comprises a rearwardly projecting arm disposed beneath the stop bolt 98 and a forwardly projecting short portion |02 having a socket |03 for the other end of the spring 91. The latter portion, beyond the socket |03, is bent laterally outwardly and downwardly at |04, and then forwardly at |05, where it is elongated so as to -overlie the wiper pins 83 associated with the collector cups 19. The end of the lubricant transfer arm is shaped substantially the same as the end 46 of the transfer arm 4|. Its lower, lubricant transferring face |05 is substantially flat transversely, but is convex longitudinally. Moreover, as shown in Figures 2' and 5, the arm is curved to lie on an are concentric with the circumference of the table.

Lubricant is supplied to the transfer arm |00 by a fitting H0, projecting downwardly through the platform and secured in a bracket by a set screw ||2 or the like. of the fitting H0 is substantially the same as the end of the fitting and a ball 51', functioning in the same manner as the ball 51, is secured therein.

||0 is provided with a threaded socket ||4 to receive an oil conduit leading from the source of oil under predetermined pressure.

As a result of this construction, oil is supplied tc the elongated arm |05 of the transfer device i00 by a continuous, thread-like flow from the ball '5l'. Each wiper pin 83 picks up a predetermined amount of oil during each rotation of the table and the oil is delivered from the cup 82 through the bores 80, 19', 89, 81, 88 to the rollers 29 and 86, to lubricate the bearings 15, 90 thereof.

In the operation of the machine, at a predetermined point in the rotation of the table, the cam i9 draws the several bottle supporting sleeves 22 and platforms 23 downwardly, successively, against the action of the springs 26. Since the cam profile is not a part of the present invention, it is not shown herein, and, for a .more complete disclosure of the operation of the cam, the cam roller, the guide roller 86 and the associated parts, reference may be had to the aforementioned patent. When in the lowermost position, as shown in Figure 1, and during clockwise rotation of the table, the pin 1| associated with each assembly rst approaches the undersurface 41 of the elongated arm 46 of the lever 4|. The arm 46 is in the lower position as a result of the action of the spring 38. A thin, thread-like stream of oil is maintained by the surface tension of the oil, between the ball 51 and the upper, pointed edge 48 of the lever 46. This continuously owing stream of oil maintains a film of oil on the undersurface 41 of the arm 45. The pin 1| associated with each bottle supporting assembly contacts the undersurface of The lower end rlhe upper end of the tting vmovements of the sleeve, since the outer surface of the sleeve is maintained covered with a lm of oil, received from the groove 69 in the bearing 29. The lower, internal bearing 21, likewise receives oil from the groove 69 by a iiow of oil through appropriate apertures 69' in the sleeve 22, which apertures register with vertical grooves 69" communicating with the main groove 69. Oil is led to the surface between the rod'28 and the interna-l bearing 21 by the arcuate vslots 21' below the seat for the lower end of the spring 26.

As the machine continues its rotation, the pin 83 associated with the collector 19 for the cam following and guide rollers, approaches the undersurface |06 of the elongated arm |05 of the lubricant transfer device |00. This arm, through the stop bolt 98 and spring 91 is positioned, relative to the pins 83, in substantially the same manner as previously described. The pin 83, during its travel along the undersurface of the arm |05, raises the latter slightly and wipes oil therefrom. The oil is collected in the cup 82, from which it flows to the bearings 15, of the rollers 20 and 86, through bores 80, 19', 89, 81 and 88. lAgain, in connection with the roller lubricator, the parts are preferably so adjusted that the arm |05 does not actually contact the ball 51', but, on the contrary, vis supplied with oil in the form of a thin threadlike stream. If" the arm |05 is not properly adjustectjso that there is an excess space be'- tween the arm and the ball 51', the oil may be transferred in the form of drops, instead of in the form of a thread-like stream. The oil received in the cup 19 also serves to lubricate the thrust faces of the rollers 20' and 86, as well as the guide rails (not shown) in which ther rollers 86 ride.

It must be understood that the invention is not limited to details of construction shown in the accompanying drawings and described above, but covers all mechanisms coming within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

I claim:

l. In a machine ofthe typel wherein a set of relatively movable instrumentalities requiring lubrication are mounted for movement along an orbital path, means for supplying lubricant to said instrumentalities, said means comprising a relatively stationary lubricant delivery means, an elongated, imperforate lubricant transfer arm having a smooth, continuous undersurface substantially iixed with respect to said path and positioned to receive lubricant from said delivery means, lubricant collecting means mounted for movement with said set of instrumentalities, positioned to receive lubricant by wiping Contact with said surface during said movement along" said path, and means for conducting the lubricant from said collecting means to' said instrumentalities.

2. In a machine of the type wherein a set of vrelatively :movable vinstrurnentalitiesrequiring lubrication are mounted for movement along an orbital path, means for supplying lubricant to said instrumentalities, said means comprising a relatively vstationary lubricant delivery means, an elongated lubricant Vtransfer arm having smooth, continuous, imperforate top side and bottomA surfaces, said -armv being pivoted on a fixed axis. for movement with Yrespect to said delivery means and positioned to receive lubricant therefrom andshapedl to cause the same toeflowbver its side surfaces and to film over the. bottom surface thereof, lubricantV collectfmeans 'mounted' for movement with said set ofinstrumentalities having means for wipingy lubricantl from-said bottom surface during a portion of said movement along said path, and means for conducting the lubricant from said, collecting means to said instrumentalities.

- 3. In a machine of the type wherein a set of relatively movable instrumentalities requiring lubrication are mounted for movement along an orbital path, means for supplying lubricant to said instrumentalities, said means comprising a relatively stationary lubricant delivery means, a

solid, imperforate, elongated lubricant ltransfer arm pivoted for movement relative to saidY means `and positioned to receive, on its outside, lubricant from saidr'delivery means and having a.

Ylubricant lming surface disposed substantially parallel to a portion ofy said orbital path, lubricant collecting means mounted for movement with'said set of instrumentalities and having an element positioned to wipe said filming surface duringfa portion of said movement along path, and means for conducting the lubricant Vfrom the collecting means to the instrumentali- Vties.' 1 l. Y

4.-.A lubricating system for a machine of the .classxwherein a plurality of linstrumentalities requiringl lubrication are mounted upona -rotat- Said. i' y' rotation ofthe table andto deliver the same to said supporting means. Y Y

6. 1n a machine of the class wherein a plu-- rality of bottle supporting sleeves are mounted for vertical movement in a table supported for rotation aboutra fixed base, means for lubricating the sleeves comprising lubricant delivery means on said base, an imperforate lubricant transfer arm positioned adjacent the path of movement of the sleeves and mounted for pivoting movement relative to the lubricant delivery means to receive lubricant upon its exterior surfaces directly therefrom, a collector carried bythe table and positioned to wipe lubricant from said transfer arm, and means for conducting lubricant from said collector to said sleeve.

7. In a machine of the class wherein a'plurality of instrumentalities are mounted for relative movement in latable supported for rotation about a fixed base, and wherein movement of the instrumentalities is controlled during rotation of theta-ble by cam following rollers carried by the ableV table for revolution about astationary base,

said system comprising an imperforate, solid -metal transfen member pivotally mounted on said baseadjacent'the path of movement of the 'instrumentalities Ameans iixedly supported on said base for delivering a constantV supply of lubricant to theexterior Vof saidgmember, and to .cause thesame to-assumea film form on a l surface thereof, a plurality of lubricant receptacles, one mounted for -movement with each set of instrumentalities, means for wiping lubricant fromv said member and for delivering the same to Vsaidreceptacles, and conduit means 'f leading from the receptacles to the instrumentalities requiring lubrication.

5. In a bottle-lling or closing machine lof 4the type wherein a plurality of vertically movable bottle supporting `platforms are mounted on a Vtable supported for `rotation upon a Xed base, a lubricating system for delivering oil to the supporting means for the platforms, said system "comprising means fixed with respect to said base for deliveringa constant thread-like stream of oil, a relatively stationary oil transfer member Apivoted for limited movement toward and from said oil delivery means and having an imperforate Y upper surface positioned to receive said stream of cil, said member being shaped to cause the oil to fiowpver its side surfaces and to film over its .undersurface the latter being continuous,v imperforate and noneabsorbent, and collector means supported by the table and arranged to wipe oil Z-from said ,undersurface of saidmember` during table, means for lubricatingl said rollers comprising lubricant delivery means on said base, a

llubricant transfer arm positioned adjacent the path of movementy of the rollers and having smooth, continuous, imperforate top, side and bottom faces'positioned to receive lubricant from said delivery means by a flowY over the side faces of 'the arm to the bottom face thereof, collectors carried by the table and positioned to wipe lubricant from said bottom face, and` means for conducting lubricant from said collectors to saidk rollers.

8. in a machine of the class wherein a plurality lof bottle supporting sleeves are mounted for reciprocating movement in vertically disposed Y with and having means adapted to take oil from said surface, and a conduit for conducting oil from each collector to its bearing. v

9. In a machine ofthe class wherein a plurality of bottle supporting sleeves are mounted vfor movement in a table supported for rotation .about a Xed base and wherein the movements of 'the sleeves vare controlled during rotation of the table by oamrollers carried by and rotatable with the table' and positioned to engage a cam on the base, means for automatically supplying lubri-Y cant tolthe journals for said rollers comprising a solid, imperforate, horizontally, elongated lubricant transfer army positioned adjacent the path of movement of the'rollers, means forV supplying lubricant to the upper 'surface of said arm, a lubricant collector for the journal of each roller adapted to take oil from the lower surface of said arm, and a conduit for conducting oil from yeach collector to its associated journal.

l0. lVIeansforY supplying lubricant to a lubricant receivingVVK device Vmounted for translational vmovement along a predetermined path and havlubricant transfer arm having a continuous imperforate, non-absorbent, bottom surface elongated in the direction of said path and positioned in the path of movement of said wiper, and means for delivering lubricant to the top surface of said arm, said arm being shaped to cause the lubricant to flow over the side surfaces and to spread in a film on said bottom surface.

1l. Means for supplying lubricant to a plurality of wipers supported by a rotatable table and movable along a circular horizontal path during rotation thereof, said means comprising a solid, elongated lubricant transfer arm pivoted adjacent the path of movement of the wipers and having a smooth, continuous, imperforate, non-absorbent convex undersurface disposed in the path of movement of said wipers, and means for delivering oil to an upper surface of said arm, said arm being shaped to cause the oil to flow over the side surfaces thereof and to assume a film form on said convex undersurface.

12. Means for supplying lubricant to a plurality of upwardly projecting wipers supported 15. In a machine of the class wherein a plurality of bottle supporting sleeves are mounted for rotation with a rotatable table along a horizontal path, said means comprising a lever pivoted about a xed axis and having a horizontally elongated, solid arm provided with a continuous, imperforate, longitudinally convex undersurface positioned in the path of movement of said wipers, spring means for urging the arm downwardly, and means for` supplying lubricant in thin lm form to the undersurface of the arm.

13. Means for supplying lubricant toa plurality of wipers supported by a rotatable table and movable along a circular path during rotation thereof, said means comprising a pivoted.v

lubricant transfer arm having an elongated surface lying in the path of movement of said Wipers, and means for supplying a continuous stream of oil in thread-like form to said arm, the last-mentioned means comprising an oil conduit terminating in spaced relation to the arm, a ball in the end of the conduit and a passage for delivering a thin stream of oil to the exposed surface of the ball.

14. Means for supplying lubricant to a plurality of wipers supported by a rotatable table and movable along a circular path during rotation thereof, said means comprising a pivoted lubricant transfer arm having an elongated surface lying in the path of movement of said Wipers, and means for supplying a continuous stream of oil in thread-like form to said arm, the lastmentioned means comprising an oil conduit having a downwardly facing end socket, a seat in the open end of the socket, a ball therein pressed downwardly against the seat, and a plurality of cuts in the seat constituting oil passages adapted to form a lm of oil on the lower face of said ball.

for reciprocating movement in vertically disposed bearings in a table supported for rotation about a fixed base and wherein the reciprocating movements of the sleeves are controlled during rotation of the table by cam rollers which are actuated by a cam track associated with a bracket having a horizontal platform, means for automatically supplying lubricant to the journals for said rollers, said means comprising a plurality of lubricant collectors for the rollers mounted for rotation with the table at a relatively low level, a bracket mounted on said platform at a relatively low level, an imperforate, elongated transfer arm pivoted on the bracket and having a smooth, continuous, non-absorbent lubricant transfer surface in the path of movement of said collectors, and means for supplying lubricant to an upper surface of the transfer arm to cause the same to form a lm of oil on said transfer surface thereof.

16. Means for applying lubricant to a plurality of wipers supported by a rotatable table and movable along a circular path during rotation thereof, said means comprising a solid, pivoted lubricant transfer arm having an elongated portion provided with a smooth, imperforate, bottom surface lying in the path of movement of said wipers, said surface being convexly curved longitudinally of the arm, the side surfaces of the arm being curved upwardly and inwardly toward the top and meeting at the top in a longitudinally extending, imperforate, blunt edge, and means for delivering oil to said top edge of the arm, whereby said oil flows over said side surfaces and lms out on said bottom surface, to be picked up by said wipers.

17. In a machine of the class wherein a plurality of bottle supporting sleeves are mounted for reciprocating movement in vertically disposed bearings in a table supported for rotation in a horizontal plane about a fixed base, means for automatically supplying lubricant to said bearings comprising a solid, imperforate, elongated lubricant transfer arm having a smooth, continuous lower face positioned adjacent the path o1" movement of said bearings and pivoted about an axis xed relative to said base, means for supplying lubricant to an upper surface of said arm, whereby the lubricant may flow exteriorly of the arm to said lower face, a lubricant collector for each bearing mounted for movement therewith and having means adapted to take oil from the lower face of the arm, and conduit means for conducting oil from each collector to its bearing.

FRANK S. BELL.y 

